World Tuberculosis Day: Expert urges those with severe cough to test for TB
As the world commemorate 2021 tuberculosis day to raise awareness about the devastating health and to step up efforts to end global tuberculosis pandemic, the Chairman Nigerian Medical Association, Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Ime Sylvanus Udo has advised those who have severe cough that is lasting too long to get tested for tuberculosis for immediate treatment.
Dr. Udo gave the advice on Wednesday during an interactive session with newsmen in Uyo to create public awareness on devastating health, social and economic consequences of tuberculosis.
With the theme, ‘The Clock is Ticking’ – which conveys the sense that the world is running out of time to act on the commitments to end tuberculosis, Dr Udo said testing for tuberculosis is free of charge at all the Secondary Healthcare Facilities and some Special Centres designated for testing of tuberculosis within the state. “If one is tested and treated for tuberculosis, he or she will have a good outcome from it. tuberculosis is not a death sentence, treatment is readily available and free of charge”. He said.
Dr. Udo also explained that testing is used to help in diagnosing tuberculosis disease for possible treatment. He lamented that tuberculosis remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious Killers caused by bacteria which affects the lungs. “Once you have tuberculosis you begin to cough and if a tuberculosis patient coughs, anyone around him/her could inhale it and eventually will be infected”.
He noted that most people living in tropical savanna may not be seriously affected by tuberculosis if they have strong immune system, “but if someone has weak immune system probably caused by HIV or other health related complications like poorly treated diabetes, cancer etc such a person can possibly contracts tuberculosis”.
On the covid-19 vaccine, Dr. Udo assured that with the first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine, life will gradually return to normal. “There is good news, covid-19 vaccine will take our lives back to normal”. He assured.
He noted that globally when a disease has lasted for so long, the solution is usually vaccination and vaccine has always been that remedy that helps mankind. He also added that vaccines have helped in the eradication of polio hepatitis and Nigerian medical Association is in support of Covid-19 vaccine which is to protect the body from producing enough virus from spreading.
On the reason why people who have been vaccinated should also wear face mask and observe other Covid19 protocols, Dr. Udo explained that a vaccinated person if infected by the disease can as well spread the virus to others who are yet to be vaccinated even when the vaccine will not allow the virus to attack their bodies.
He called on various stakeholders in the state to support government by educating and sensitizing people mostly those in the rural areas to go out for vaccination once the vaccine is available in all the villages.
(C) The Ibom Informer Newspaper
